LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION paying tribute to The Honorable Jonathan Lippman
upon the occasion of his designation as the Guest of Honor at the New
York State Trial Lawyers Association's Annual Law Day Dinner and Ceremo-
ny on May 12, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that individuals who
distinguish themselves in their profession and contribute to its
enhancement merit the highest commendation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to pay
tribute to The Honorable Jonathan Lippman upon the occasion of his
designation as the Guest of Honor at the New York State Trial Lawyers
Association's Annual Law Day Dinner and Ceremony on May 12, 2009; and
WHEREAS, For more than 55 years, the New York State Trial Lawyers
Association (NYSTLA) has worked to protect New York's civil justice
system, promote a safer and healthier society, assure access to the
civil justice system by those who are wrongfully injured, and to advance
representation of the public by ethical, well-trained lawyers; and
WHEREAS, Each year, the New York State Trial Lawyers Association
proudly observes Law Day, established in 1958 to celebrate the American
heritage of liberty, justice, and equality under the law, by paying
homage to New York's civil justice system and to individuals who work
tirelessly to maintain and strengthen its vitality and effectiveness;
and
WHEREAS, The Honorable Jonathan Lippman, Chief Judge of the State of
New York and Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, truly merits this high
New York State Trial Lawyers Association honor and the respectful trib-
ute of this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, As the Chief Judge of the State of New York, appointed by
Governor David A. Paterson in January 2009 and confirmed by the New York
State Senate in February 2009, he serves as the Chief Judicial Officer
of the State and as the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, the highest
court in the State; the Chief Judge, in addition, establishes statewide
standards and administrative policies after consultation with the Admin-
istrative Board of the Courts and approval by the Court of Appeals; and
WHEREAS, Chief Judge Lippman earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in
1965 from New York University, from which he graduated Phi Beta Kappa
and cum laude, and his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from New York Univer-
sity School of Law in 1968; and
WHEREAS, Chief Judge Lippman's career in the court system spans four
decades, starting as an entry level court attorney and including service
as a law clerk in Supreme Court and Surrogate's Court, and as Principal
Court Attorney for Supreme Court, New York County, Civil Term; he was
named Chief Clerk and Executive Officer of that court in 1983; and
WHEREAS, Chief Judge Lippman was appointed Deputy Chief Administrator
for Management of the statewide court system in 1989; in 1995, he was
appointed by Governor George E. Pataki as a Judge of the New York Court
of Claims and was subsequently reappointed to a full nine-year term on
that court in 1998; and
WHEREAS, From January 1996 to May 2007, he served, by appointment of
Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye, as the Chief Administrative Judge of all New
York State Courts and is the longest tenured person to have served in
that capacity; in 2005, he was elected as a Justice of the Supreme Court
for the Ninth Judicial District; Chief Judge Lippman also served as an
Associate Justice of the Appellate Term, Ninth and Tenth Judicial
Districts, from January 2006 to May 2007; and

WHEREAS, In May 2007, Governor Eliot Spitzer appointed him to serve as
the Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court,
First Department; in that capacity, he served on the Administrative
Board of the Courts, the policy and rule-making body of the New York
State Court System; and
WHEREAS, Chief Judge Lippman has also served on the Board of the
National Center for State Courts and is a former President of the
Conference of State Court Administrators, which consists of court lead-
ers representing all 50 states and United States territories; among the
many awards he has earned in recognition of his leadership and distin-
guished service, in 2008, Chief Judge Lippman received the prestigious
William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence, an award given annu-
ally by the National Center for State Courts to one state court judge
chosen from throughout the country; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife Amy, and their chil-
dren, Russell and Lindsay, all of whom are proud to be part of his life
and rejoice in his many accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend Chief Judge Lippman's distinguished record, to express appreci-
ation for his wisdom and dedication, and to applaud his uncompromising
standard of excellence in all his endeavors; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman upon the occasion of his desig-
nation as the Guest of Honor at the New York State Trial Lawyers Associ-
ation's Annual Law Day Dinner and Ceremony on May 12, 2009; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Jonathan Lippman.